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Venezuela’s oil exports have effectively come to a standstill after months of declining shipments triggered by sweeping U.S. sanctions and an intensified oil embargo announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to sources close to port and shipping operations, oil terminals across the country are paralyzed as port captains have not received authorization requests for loaded tankers to depart Venezuelan waters. This development underscores the deepening crisis facing the South American nation’s vital oil industry.
The suspension comes amid dramatic political developments, including the reported extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from Caracas by U.S. authorities, followed by Washington’s announcement that it would oversee a political transition in the country. President Trump confirmed on Saturday that the oil embargo against Venezuela is now fully in effect, reinforcing restrictions on sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan ports.
Shipping data shows that several oil tankers carrying crude oil and refined fuel, destined for markets such as the United States and Asia, remain docked and unable to set sail. Meanwhile, other vessels that had been waiting to load cargo reportedly departed empty. Tanker monitoring firm TankerTrackers.com confirmed that no tankers were loading at Venezuela’s primary oil export hub, the Jose port, highlighting the severity of the disruption.
A complete halt in oil exports, including shipments operated by Chevron, PDVSA’s main foreign partner, could further worsen Venezuela’s oil production outlook. Industry sources warn that with onshore storage tanks nearing capacity and floating storage vessels already full, PDVSA may be forced to shut in production at key oilfields. Such output cuts would deepen the country’s economic crisis, given that oil exports remain Venezuela’s main source of revenue.
PDVSA and Chevron have not issued official comments on the situation, but analysts note that prolonged export paralysis could have lasting consequences for global oil markets and Venezuela’s already fragile energy sector.
